Central team happy over State's anti-dengue plan

BHUBANESWAR: The Central team on Thursday  expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the State Government to contain the spread of dengue. The rate of growth of the  deadly disease is decreasing in Barbil area of Keonjhar district which has so far recorded 1,003  positive cases. The team led by Additional Director of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme  (NVBDCP) Dr Gagan Singh Sonal reviewed the dengue situation at the office of Department of  Health Services (DHS) here after visiting Barbil, the epicentre of the disease, Joda, Jagatpur and different places in Cuttack.

Urging people not to panic, Sonal said dengue in Odisha, which has been witnessing spurt in positive cases for the  last four years, is under control now. "The situation is improving steadily in the affected areas. The measures initiated by State Government  are yielding results," he said. Asked whether the alarming situation could have been avoided  if the Government had initiated steps for cleanliness drives much before the onset of monsoon, the  Central team chief said dengue is now a national concern since it is reported from several States.

"Such cases are normally witnessed in industrial and urban  areas where water stagnation, communication and movement of people are more. Right step at the right time can check an outbreak," he said.

Since movement of vehicles is  more in mining belt of Barbil, abandoned tyres are found abundantly which are major sources of mosquito breeding, Sonal said and added that workers from various   States work here and they can carry the infection from their place of origin. He also advised officials of other departments to cooperate with  the Health department to contain the disease and prepare longterm preventive measures. The State has so far recorded three  deaths and 1,862 dengue positive cases, including 192 fresh cases.

Among others, Health Director Dr Chitta Ranjan Nayak, Director of Public Health Dr Kailas Das, Joint Director Dr Bikash Patnaik and NVBDCP Joint Director  Dr Madan Mohan Pradhan were present.